Is Nikolai Kulemin #495 worth grading?
Hockey · Hockey Cards 2008 Upper Deck · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Nikolai Kulemin #495 brings $29.99 versus $2.31 raw — a $27.68 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($14.02) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $2.31
- PSA 10
- $29.99
- PSA 9
- $14.02
- Gem premium
- 13×
- As of
- Sep 3, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — PSA 10 | $29.99 | +$2.68 | −$22.32 | −$122 |
| PSA 9 | $14.02 | −$13.29 | −$38.29 | −$138 |
| PSA 8 | $7.58 | −$19.73 | −$44.73 | −$145 |
Net = sale price − $2.31 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.
Expected value — how often does it need to gem?
| Chance it gems | Expected sale | Expected net (standard fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | $18.01 | −$34.30 |
| 50% | $22.00 | −$30.30 |
| 75% | $26.00 | −$26.31 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
Which grader pays the most — and what a 10 takes
All centering standards →| Grader | 10 sells for | vs best | Front centering for a 10 | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | $44.97 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $29.99 | −$14.98 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $18.00 | −$26.97 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $18.00 | −$26.97 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
Tolerances are each company's published centering standard for its top grade; surface, corners and edges must also be clean. Centering is the one you can measure yourself before you pay.
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Grading Nikolai Kulemin #495 — FAQ
Is Nikolai Kulemin #495 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Nikolai Kulemin #495 brings $29.99 versus $2.31 raw — a $27.68 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($14.02) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Nikolai Kulemin #495 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Nikolai Kulemin #495 (Hockey Cards 2008 Upper Deck) sells for about $29.99 versus $2.31 for a raw near-mint copy — a 13× premium as of Sep 3, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Nikolai Kulemin #495?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $44.97, ahead of PSA 10 at $29.99. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Nikolai Kulemin #495 need for a BGS 10?
BGS publishes 55/45 front and 70/30 back centering as the tolerance for a 10 (Gem Mint). Off-center copies are capped below the top grade regardless of surface — measure yours before paying the fee.
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